Facebook teams up with Fox on Super Bowl

SAN FRANCISCO | By Alexei Oreskovic

A portrait of the Facebook logo in Ventura, California December 21, 2013.

Reuters/Eric Thayer/Files

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook Inc (FB.O) is collaborating with Fox Sports for Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast, the social network's latest move to increase its role as a hub for real-time conversations around sports and news events.

Fox will integrate content from Facebook into its pre-game television programming, including public comments from Facebook and Instagram users about the football game as well as fan statistics based on collective data from Facebook's members.

The two companies have also created a website that will feature Facebook user data and videos of all the commercials that air during the game.

Facebook is increasingly competing with Twitter Inc (TWTR.N) to establish itself as the go-to hub for online discussions about sporting events, television programs and celebrities.

The Super Bowl collaboration with Fox builds on an existing partnership that Facebook struck with the TV network last year. More than 100 million viewers are expected to watch the football game on Sunday, which will pit the Denver Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks.

(Editing by Stephen Coates)

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